Stories of People Inc.
Giving Toward the Future
Giving toward the future - People Inc. Foundation
A planned gift to People Inc. can yield benefits not only to our agency, but to the donor and their family as well. Such is the case with Jean and Charles Gordon who have set up a trust to take care of their son, Scott, and eventually benefit People Inc. Mrs. Gordon said the idea for the trust came about at a meeting sponsored by People Inc. to assist families in preparing wills, trusts and other estate plans.
After this meeting, the Gordons decided to set up a trust to ensure that their son, Scott, would be taken care of after they die. Since Scott is an only child, the trust ensures that he will have the financial resources to meet his needs after his parents are gone. Scott is now 38 and receives services through People Inc. such as health care, social groups and travel opportunities through People and Places. People Inc. is also Scott's stand-by guardian. In addition, Scott receives residential services through Autistic Services, living in one of their Individualized Residential Alternative group homes in Amherst. Therefore, the Gordons decided that a portion of whatever remained in the trust after Scott's passing will be split between the two agencies.
While Scott is very independent (he currently works in the bakery at Wegmans and rides his own horse), it gives the Gordons peace of mind that he will be taken care of financially after they have passed. They also have the satisfaction of knowing that this lasting gift will be passed on to the agencies that serve Scott and other individuals with special needs in our community. The greatest benefit the Gordons receive from their trust is peace of mind. "I always thought I had to live to be 110 years old," laughed Mrs. Gordon. "Now I know I could go tomorrow and Scott will be cared for." The arrangement has given Scott peace of mind, too. "Sometimes he asks what will happen to him after we're gone," Mrs. Gordon said. "We can tell him not to worry - that everything is all set."
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